"I think it was a mistake for Sky to get involved in Freeview, but they did. I think they never thought it would be as big as it has become"Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan

And again, on fear and loathing at his former employer, the BBC: "Sky was almost hated, seen as the enemy. It was like the beast that couldn't be talked about"

"In mental hospitals they have a TV in the common room and they have to tape the switch down to ITV, because it's the least disturbing. They couldn't have it on Channel 4, because - whoooo - they'd all be off"Channel 4 director of programmes Kevin Lygo

"I'm looking for big drama series next year an big drama events, also more scripted comedy. I want drama with strong characters solving mysteries. I think we need to continue that as a theme - but not in crime or medicine" Five director of programmes Dan Chambers on what he's going to spend the £13.5m saved by axing Family Affairs

"Watching celebrities out of their comfort zone, having a difficult time, will be phenomenally appealing. But in Celebrity Love Island we saw them slap bang in the middle of their comfort zone, on holiday, having a great time. It spoiled the enjoyment"Chambers, again, on why Celebrity Love Island gave celebrity reality shows a bad name

"It has a public service role. People tend to drive better for a couple of days after seeing it"BBC1 controller Peter Fincham on why BBC1 docusoap Traffic Cops is good public service broadcasting

"I also believe that these digital rights solutions will exist in a world which is increasingly open and interoperable and we are working with partners like Microsoft and Kontiki to find them. The first stage of digital was notable not just for the world wide web but for its many successful walled gardens and pieces of proprietary hardware - from the first Sky digibox to the iPod. I'm sure some proprietary products and services will continue to flourish in this second stage - we're partners both with Sky in satellite TV and with providers of linear services on both cable and ADSL. But the biggest momentum at present seems to be behind open solutions where choice is wider, where the consumer is fully in control and where awesome network effects can get to work"BBC director general Mark Thompson

"I did try to get into their minds"James Hewitt, talking about women on celebrity shows"Is that what we call knickers now?" Jayne Middlemiss:

"I thought Back to Reality was awful"Jade Goody "I won that!"James Hewitt

"The idea is to have intellectual people not being po-faced, talking about what's in the news, politics, art, sport"Channel 4 director of programmes Kevin Lygo on More4's late night topical chatshow The Last Word

"We are beginning to think we are the only person he said no to" Ricky Gervais on Jude Law, who had to pull out of the first series of Extras because of filming commitments

"Think The Da Vinci Code but without the good bits"Channel 4 head of regional programmes Stuart Cosgrove on Ofcom's public service broadcasting review

"Many British people would be far more offended by a dead horse than they would by a dead baby"Channel 4 News international editor Lindsey Hilsum on the explicit nature (or otherwise) of TV news